Nicknames {Reader's Digest}

On Valentine's Day weekend I went on a little getaway with my boyfriend to Honesdale, Pa, a little mountain town. We rented a little cottage filled with treasure that made my heart sing. All things that were just coincidences. One of those was a small stack of Reader's Digest magazines. My soul is old and I love a good Reader's Digest. While sitting and reading an edition from cover to cover I would the most amazing article! It was all about nicknames! Not only was it about names but it was about one of my "specialties".

The article came from the October 2019 editions and was called "What Happened to Great Nicknames?" by Andy Simmons. I found some great quotes and points and it even got me thinking. I loved it so much I had to pour my thoughts out into a blog post.

In the article they talked about how less and less people have nicknames now a days and why. Their thought is there are 20,000+ more names being used now than there had been in the 1950s. When there were less names it is more likely that a name is used in the same family, classroom, or neighbor multiple times forcing a nickname to be bestowed. Their thoughts are so eye opening and numbers don't lie. I have to add that I am noticing more parents looking for names without nicknames or just forgoing the formal name and using the nickname adding to the possible decline in nickname use. 

A nickname can come from love for a person. How many people do you know with funny, odd, unexpected nicknames? My great grandfather was nicknamed Moon because of his shiny, bald head. Ren is a nickname that came out of no where from a middle school friend partly from the show Even Steves. So if you mom or best friend gave you a funny nickname run with it! It all came from love.

Feminine First Names, Boyish Nicknames

If you've been around here for some time then you know that I am a huge lover of nicknames. Growing up I didn't have a nickname and always felt like I was missing out. One of my name requirements for future children is a nickname possible first name. So what does that have to do with today's post? Today I am sharing with you 11 feminine girl names with boyish nicknames. Nicknames on their own are becoming more popular and boy nicknames are slowly catching on. This list gives parents the best of both worlds; girly first name with the option of a more tomboy name.

Andrea --> Andie

Wilhelmina --> Billie

Francesca -->  Frankie

Charlotte --> Charlie

Lucinda --> Lou

Antonia --> Toni

Danika --> Dani

Josephine --> Joey

Theodora --> Teddy

Evangeline --> Evan

Roberta --> Bobby

What other names would you add to the list? Do you have favorites? 

Vintage Nicknames for Girls

I am loving, loving, loving vintage nicknames for girls. You know those nicknames that are just so sweet and old lady chic? The names you find in the hundreds on the popularity charts from 50-100 years ago. Because there are so many vintage nicknames out there I decided just to focus on 10 today. Two of the nicknames on this list (Minnie and Winnie) I have written more in-depth blog posts about and I plan to do the same for the remaining.

1. Minnie: Minerva, Arminta, Wilhelmina, Amelia, Mink, Philomena, Romina, Margaret, Adamina, Cosmina

2. Lulu: Lucy, Lucille, Tallulah, Elosie, Lauren, Luella, Guadalupe 

3. Hattie: Harriet, Henrietta, Henriette, Hadley

4. Winnie: Winifred, Edwina, Arwen, Winona, Rowena, Bronwen, Wilhelmina, Gwendolyn, Rowen, Winslow 

5. Fanny: Frances, Francine, Francina, Francesca

6. Birdie: Elizabeth, Bridget, Bernadette, Beatrice, Robin, Liberty, Roberta

7. Kit: Katherine, Kathleen, Charlotte, Kristen, Katrina 

8. Lottie: Charlotte, Charlotta, Nicolette, Violet, Scarlett, Loretta

9. Tillie: Matilda, Tilda, Tallulah, Ottilie, Talitha 

10. Nellie: Cornelia, Danielle, Elanor, Chanelle, Ellen, Penelope, Antonella, Eileen, Hanelle, Helen, Helena 

Vintage nicknames have been used by a few celebrities. I listed some great ones below. 

Minnie Theodora and Andy Rose: Jack and Lisa Osbourne
Elsie Otter: Zooey Deschanel and Jacob Pechenik
Frankie: Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman
Hattie Margaret: Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott
Winnie Rose: Jimmy Fallon

Buddy

I'm sure you all know the Christmas association for the name Buddy but I am featuring the name because it is rarely used for little boys in the States.

Nickname

Buddy is one of those nicknames that could be used for just about any name. Some famous Buddy's were born Charles, George, and Samuel while others were born Bernard and Bartolo. Personally, I would go with a name that begins with a B for the nickname Buddy. My favorites being Boden, Baldwin, and Bartholomew. Another cute option is using Buddy for a junior or third. 

Famous Name Bearers

It seems like the name Buddy was given to a ton of musicians of all different genres. There's Buddy Holly and Buddy Wayne Knox, two rock musicians. Buddy Rich was a jazz drummer and Buddy Guy could be found singing the blues. Buddy Jewell belongs to country fans while Buddy Clark was all pop. 

The name doesn't just belong to singers and musicians. NASCAR driver Buddy DeSylva was born George Gard. My personal favorite Buddy is Cake Boss' Buddy Valastro, who was born Bartolo, and has a son with the same name. This post wouldn't be complete without me mentioning Jamie Oliver and Juliette Norton's son Buddy Bear Maurice, a name that fits perfectly with his sister's. 

Popularity 

In the United States, Buddy hasn't been ranked since 1988 (#940) but in England and Wales it was last ranked in 2016 (#262), the most recent year of data. The name sure does scream English man to me and you can see why. The Untied States is always behind in naming trends and takes years to catch up to England but I hope that Buddy is one of the names we adopt. 

Christmas Association 

"Buddy the Elf, What's your favorite color?" I'm sure just about everyone out there knows this line. It seems like the movie, Elf, is one of the most quoted Christmas movies, at least around me. An image of a jolly, quirky person comes to life when I hear the name Buddy and thats something I'd wish on any little boy. 

Wells: The Nickname

W, a letter I never thought I would be obsessed with for names. Then again names that start with W or contain a W have a certain feel to them. Exotic, different, fun while still being familiar (at least most of the time). Since I try my very best to keep a variety of names on the blog a lot of the W names I adore have not been featured. Let's face it if I talked about all the names I love over here you'd be reading all about A and W names. One of the names I have not talked about much here is Wells, more specifically as a nickname. I took the time to compile a list of possible full names for Wells. 

Wellington- People Living in the Hamlet in the Cleared Area Near the Temple; English
Wellington is probably the first name that pops into your little head when some ask for a full name for Wells. I know it does for me! It's an English, posh sounding name.

Maxwell- Mack's Stream; English
The real inspiration behind this post is the name Maxwell. Well, nicknames for Maxwell. I had a follower on Instagram ask for nickname options that weren't Max. I think Wells is just a perfect option.

Rockwell- Rock Spring; English
Rockwell is perfect for the mountain, nature loving parent or the Norman Rockwell inspired illustrator.

Orwell- The Branch of the River; English
George Orwell is a famous author that many of you might think of. I am familiar with he name Orwell because one of my best friends, who is an english major, spent a lot of time reading his work.

Bramwell- Well Where the Grose Grows; English
Fun fact: Patrick Bramwell Bronte was the only brother in the Bronte family.

Hartwell- Well of Stags; English
Are there any Breaking Bad fans out there? I have not watched the show but heard it is really good. The main character is named Walter Hartwell White. How cool of a middle name?!

Howell- Eminent; Welsh
I have a little connection to this name. My freshman door was named Howell and its where I met my best friends and started my college journey.

Powell- Son of Howell; Welsh
I've really been mulling over Powell for some time now. From first grade until eight grade, I had a classmate with the last name. But I feel like there is more to the name. Once thought I came to was Powell could be a nice alternative or honoring name for a Paul.

Cromwell- Winding Stream; English
Its officially October, which means it is basically Halloween. Cromwell fits in with Halloween because it is the surname of Aggie Cromwell from Halloweentown.

Llewellyn- Lion, Welsh
There were two princes in medical Wales and is a patriotic name fro them. An animal lover could use this name without giving away their love.

Boswell- Well Near the Woods; English
There is a Saint Boswell but there is very little information on him it seems. This is one of those religious names that is not overly religious.

Penny: The Nickname

The name Penny brings about a few images when you hear it from the cooper coin to the Big Bang Theory. With Penelope being on the rise and at #34 in 2015 you can expect to see more Penny's running around. If you adore the nickname Penny but find Penelope too common there are plenty of names on this list for you.

Penelope- Weaver; Greek
When you hear the name Penny I am sure you think of Penelope. This beautiful name is one of my favorites. I often suggest Penelope as a middle name.

Aspen- Aspen Tree; English
Aspen covers a few naming themes. Its a nature name, place name, and unisex name. The leaves of the Aspen tree are heart shaped and so pretty.

Penrose- Top of the Heath; Cornish, Welsh
Penrose is an unisex name but with the rose ending I lean more towards the name on a girl. Its an ancient place name from Cornwall, Wales, and the Welsh border of England. Penny and rosie would make great nicknames.

Penna- Feather; Latin
If you are looking for a unique yet familiar sounding name than Penna is the way to go. It sounds very just like Jenna or any of the other Enna names out there. The name hasn't caught on int he United States yet.

Pennington- Pening Enclosure or Settlement Associated with a Man named Pinna; English
Remington, Arlington, and Kensington are all great and unusual names for both girls and boys. Pennington goes so nicely with the name. They are grand names but can be made more familiar with nicknames like Penny.

Persephone- To Destroy; Greek
Persephone would make a great alternative or honor name to Stephanie. They bout have similar sounds yet one is well used and the other is unique among unique. Penny may be a long shot of a nickname but I think it gives it a more common feel.

Spencer- Dispenser of Provisions; English
You will notice that there are a feel unisex names on this list. Spencer is currently not ranked not he top 1000 for girls making it an unique yet familiar name. Penny gives the name a little bit of spunk.

Independence- Freedom
You are probably thinking why would anyone name their daughter Independence?! Well I think the name is so unique that it is cool. There are also many nickname options like Penny, Indie, and India. Its a great name to use to show your American pride.

Penka- Stone; Bulgarian
Penka is a feminine form of Peter making this a great honor name. Its unique but easy to say. I really enjoy the look of this name and how it seems to be made up but in reality it isn't.

Penina- Pearl; Hebrew
There are so many names out there that mean pearl and I always get excite to find new ones. Pearls are beautiful gemstones and are the birthstone of June. Penina is pronounced pen-EE-nah making me think of Nina.

Peninnah- Precious Stone; Hebrew
Peninnah is a biblical name from the Old Testament. I know that a lot of people don't think that there are a lot of girl names in the bible but I am always surprised to find more and more. I think Peninnah is a nice unique name that reminds me a lot of names like Hannah and Savannah.

Millicent- Strong, Work; German
Now I am sure you are wondering why Millicent and the next 3 names are on the list of nicknames for Penny. The penny is worth one cent and Millicent has the cent ending hence the nickname Penny. Whenever I hear about the name Millicent I hear a lot of talk about it being an old lady name but I feel like with Penny as a nickname more people could see the appeal in the name.

Vincentia- Feminine Form of Vincent (To Conquer)
If you are looking to honor a Vincent in your life I think Vincentia is a way to go. You have so many nickname options as well besides Penny, like Vinny, Tia, and Via.

Vincentine- Variant of Vincentia; French
Like Vincentia, Vincentine makes a great Vincent honoring name. It a great French name and French names always sound like Princess names.

Jacenta- Variant of Jacinta (Hyacinth)
Jacenta is a variant spelling of Jacinta, a beautiful name that is a variant of Hyacinthus. Hyacinthus comes from the name of the hyacinth flower. There's a lot of beautiful history behind this name.

A Year of Names

While browsing the name beyond the top 1000 I came across a bunch of the month names such as November and December. That got me thinking, how many babies were given each month as a name in 2016? Better yet, when did we first start seeing each month used? After some research I came up with the answers. There were a few names that have never been used for one gender and even one name never used for either gender or any year!*

January 

Girls- 20 (1951, 7 babies)

Boys- N/A (Never Used)

January is a name that screams girl to me, maybe because of January Jones but it looks like I am not the only one who thinks that. January was never used for more than 5 boys since the SSA name charts came out in 1880. I was first introduced to the name through  documentary of a little girl with schizophrenia named January Schofield who went by Jani. Nicknames are one of my favorite things about names so you will find a lot of nicknames mentioned throughout this post. For January nicknames like Jani, Jan, Ari, and even Jana all work for January. 

February 

Girls- N/A (Never Used)

Boys- N/A (Never Used)

February is the month at the end of winter on the way to spring. A month of love and romance and feelings. Part of me is surprised that the name has never been used not on a boy or girl and not over the last 130+ years. Then there is the only part that is not so surprised. The name can be hard to say and a little awkward when it rolls off the tongue. I do love the nickname options like Rue, Airy, and Ebbie. 

March

Girls- N/A (1919, 5 babies)

Boys- N/A (1900, 5 babies)

March is one of the month names that I love on both genders. For girls I really enjoy it as a nickname for Marcheline and for boys I enjoy it just on its own. Not only is this a month name it is also a word/verb name. Call me crazy but I feel like the verb aspect of the name makes it more masculine. Like boys marching to the beat or marching in the military. If you are looking for a feminine feel to the name than just thinking of the March sisters from Little Women. 

April

Girls- 820 (1917, 6 babies)

Boys- N/A (1959, 9 boys)

April is and has always been a girl dominated name. In the 1970s the name ranked in the top 30 and was at its prime. Now it is ranked at #402. It was once the most popular month name for a girl that is until June came into play. Do you think April is dated? I personally would be surprised to meet a baby April.

May

Girls- 131 (1880, 62 babies)

Boys- N/A (1882, 8 babies)

I have a little secret for you. May is not ranked in the top 1000 for 2016! But her sister spelling Mae is at #582. I was super surprised about that and stopped to really think about why more parents like the Mae spelling rather than May. I came up with he theory that Mae looks less like a month name. It is also more vintage looking and vintage names are coming back in style. When it came to finding boys named May I thought if there was any chance it would be back in the 1880s or 1900s. I was really happy to find that I was right!

June

Girls- 1180 (1880, 9 babies) 

Boys- 16 (1880, 14 babies)

June is now the most popular month name for girls. With all of the June inspired names out there I can only imagine how many little girls actually go by June. In 2016 June was ranked at #268 and has been rising since it came back on the charts in 2008. The short and sweet sound she brings along with a  not super girly feel are perfect to love. June sounds a lot like Jude and I can see how it works on boys. I wouldn't be against a little boy named June. Heck when the name first appear to be used it was used for more boys than girls! 

July

Girls- 22 (1962, 6 girls)

Boys- 13 (1973, 5 boys)

Like March, July is a name I enjoy equally on both genders. When writing in cursive I get a very girly feel to it with all the loops. But when I think of the month and what happens in the month, Fourth of July and patriotic, I think boy. The month itself is named after a man, Julius Caesar, making me think more along the lines of boys. And this might even be a long shot but July could work as a nickname for Julius or Julian. 

August

Girls- 222 (1914, 6 babies)

Boys- 2078 (1880, 210 babies)

If there is any name on this list that is going to dominate the boy category than its August. It is ranked at #193 in 2016 and given to over 2000 babies. It is not only the most popular month name for boys but it is the most popular month name overall. The vintage appeal of the name along with celebrities using it may just have an impact on the popularity. I adore Gus as a nickname or even Auggie. I do think the girls are trying to steal away the name. I was shocked to find out 222 babies were named August in 2016.

September

Girls- 22 (1955, 20 babies)

Boys- N/A (Never Used)

I grew up listening to the song September by Earth, Wind, and Fire. It's my mom's favorite song and I haven't been able to figure out if its because she was born in September or not. The month is the start of Fall when the leaves are falling. I always think of school starting and a new season of life. Ember, Emmy, Temper, and Berry all work as nicknames for girls. Personality I prefer the name on a girl. 

October 

Girls- 56 (1969, 5 babies)

Boys- 6 (2016)

My mom and brother got my hooked on this really cool game show called Beat Shazam. Basically the contestants listen to a few seconds of a song and have to name the title of it. Well, on the show there is a Dj named October (girl)! I would say that is the first time I have really heard the name on a person. I think the name works on both genders. Toby makes a nice nickname for boys and familiarizes the name. 

November

Girls- 49 (1971, 6 babies)

Boys- N/A (Never Used)

September and November are such similar names to me. They both were given to no boys ever yet are not popular for girls. With the same ending and 2 syllables you can see the similarities. When you think of the month itself you may think of Thanksgiving and giving thanks. Unlike September, November has a plethora of usable nicknames. Nova, Novi/Novie, Emmy, Ember, Eva, and Vema. 

December 

Girls- 32 (1960, 5 babies)

Boys- 6 (2016)

December is the start of winter and the month of Christmas. The name brings about images of snow, lights, family, carols, cookies, and so much more. December, like October, is a month name that I find usable both genders. There is sort of a masculine feel to the name when paired with eh nicknames Dex and Dec. When paired with the nicknames Ember, Dessi, Demi, and Dee I get a soft, feminine fell.  

It looks like month names are more favorited towards the girls.I have to say it was cool to see the names in numbers. I may just do something like this again.

* When I saw never used I mean never used by 5 or more babies. There may be people out there named February or September just not 5 for a certain year.

Lettie: The Nickname

Lettie is one of the nicknames that I have fallen in love with over the past year. Somewhere down the line on my ad's side I have a few aunts with the name. Since I try to stay away from nicknames as full name names I have been on the look out for a full name I love for Lettie. Since I have already done some research I figured why not just bring them to you. Lettie is an English diminutive of Lettice which meaning Joy, Happiness.

Arlette- Form of Herleva (Amry, Honour, Noble); French

I love Ar- names as well as Lett names so this is a prefect mix. 

Alouette- Lark; French

If you don't feel French saying this name than I'm not sure what will make you. This is such a beautiful twist not he common bird names. 

Aletta and Alette- Variant of Alethea (Truth); English 

Two beautiful A names that sound elegant and unique. 

Charlotte- Diminutive of Charles (Freeman); German

Charlotte is fast rising and made her way into he top 10 in 2014. ITs the name of a Princess and has so many great associations. 

Colette- Short form of Nicolette (Victory of the People); French
For 30 years, Colette had not been on the top 1000 charts but in 2012 she jumped back on and has been moving up since. 

Cosette- Little Thing; French

I am rarely impressed with the meaning of names but Cosette is one of those exceptions. Many people will think of the Les Miserables and I think the 2012 film brought light tot he name. 

Evolet- The Love spelled backwards

Evolet was invented by the movie 10,000 BC. IN the movie they claim the names means Promise of Life

Elettra- Form of Electra (Amber); Italian
I thought for sure I was going to do research on this name and it was going to be made up. Its nice to see that tit is an Italian name. Elettra looks so pretty and unique. 

Juliet/Juliette- Diminutive of Julie (Downy-Bearded); French

For years I had Juliette as my number 1 girls name. I am now seeing the name more and more. It gives a nice romantic vibe to parents and I can see the appeal.

Lettice- Form of Letitia; English 

Although Lettice is so close to the word lettuce I still think its usable. The nickname Lettie it makes all the difference. 

Letitia- Joy, Happiness; English 

Letitia is a name that sound very proper and British. First Lady of John Tyler was a bearer of this name. 

Nicolette- Diminutive of Nicole (Victory of the People); French
Growing up I always thought Nicolette was one of the most beautiful girl names out there. I loved it as an alternative to Nicole. It is the name of a princess in the French romance, Aucassin et Nicolette. 

Odelette and Odeletta- Variant of Odele (Song)

Both these names are new to me but it was love at first sight. They remind me of a beautiful, young princess from a children's book or movie. 

Paulette- Diminutive of Paul (Small, Humble); French

If you are looking to honor a Paul and you are having a girl, than Paulette is one of the best options out there. Lettie as a nickname gives the name a more girly feel. 

Scarlett- Red; English
In 1940, Scarlett entered the top 1000 for the first time. It was a year after the movie Gone with the Wind came out. I'd say the movie had a great influence on the name. 

Saletta- Variant of Sally (Princess) 

Saletta is new to me but I really enjoy this name for its nickname options, Lettie and Saly. 

Violet (English) and Violette (French)- Violet, Purple

Violet is one of the more popular names on this list and Violette is a nice alternative if you want something a little less popular. Both names give off a peaceful vibe and are girly with out overdoing it. 

Winslet- Wynn's Channel or Stream; English 

There are so many reasons to die for Winslet. I have learned that there is a small club of Winslet loving people out there. Are you a part of it?

Charlie: The Nickname

I am a lover of nicknames that I chalk up to not having one growing up. When I am making my top 10 list I am always looking to see what nicknames can be used for my favorite names. Other times I find a nickname I like but can't find a full name that I like just as much causing me to go on a search.

Today's nickname is Charlie, a unisex nickname. In 2015 it was ranked at #229 for boys and #207 for girls. There isn't a very big gap there! My dad's name is Charles so I think it would be fun to honor him using one of these full names for Charlie. 

Boys

Charles- The obvious choice for a full name for Charlie would be Charles. It's a classic that is ranked in the top 50 for 2015. 

Charleston- Charleston is my favorite from the list and is a middle name in my top 10. If you want a place name Charleston is the way to go. 

Carlisle- If there are any Twilight fans out there you will recognize this name from the series. Its also a surname and has a very British feel to it. 

Charlot- This french nickname for Charles is pronounced Shar-low. I think it looks so cool and different. 

Charlton- Pronounced karl-tin this name is a great surname and place name with he nickname Charlie. 

Carmichael- Now Carmichael is not a name you would think of right away as a dull name for Charlie but I really like it. It can honor a Michael as well as use a nickname you like. 

Carl- If Carl feels too old for you why not try using the nickname Charlie for it. If you are a Shameless fan than this name might remind you of the character. 

Carlson- Like Carl, Carlson can rock the nickname Charlie with no problems!

Girls

Charlotte- I would like to believe that many of the girl Charlie's out there who don't have the nickname on their birth certificate have the full name Charlotte. The name just jumped into he top 10 in 2014 and moved up to #9 in 2015. Will the name keep rising?

Charlize- Charlize is a feminine form of Charles and can be associated with the actress Charlize Theron. The Z towards the end gives it a little pizazz. 

Charla- Charla is pronounced Shar-luh and was ranked really low on the top 1000 charts from he 1940s up until the 1950s.

Charlene- Another Charlie full name that was popular in the 40s and 50s was Charlene. It goes along with the name trends like Marlene and Darlene. 

Charlotta- This Swedish variant of Charlotte is great if you want something less popular than Charlotte. 

Caroline/Carolina- One is a sweet vintage name and one is a place name but both names can use the nickname Charlie. 

Charmaine- I just love saying Charmaine over and over again. It sounds so exotic to my ears. I think Charlie gives it a home-y vibe. 

No Nickname, No Problem! [Boys]

A few days ago I shared with you 10 of my favorite girl names that have no nicknames. Today I am here to share 10 of my favorite boy names that have no nicknames. While making this list I felt like it was easier to make the boy list than the girls. Boys seem to have less nickname options than girls.

Rhett- My first thought when I hear the name Rhett is a little southern boy. It is a name found in the classical book Gone With The Wind. Watch out because the name is showing up in popularity!

Brooks- I am such a sucker for names that end in S. I also love names that seemed to belong in the south. Like Rhett, I always picture a sweet boy dressed in seersucker running around on a farm.

Otto- Otto is a German name that was popular up until the two World Wars. Otto is a palindrome name meaning it can be spelled the same backwards.

Kai- Kai is one of the most popular Hawaiian names out there. This one syllable name was once unheard of but has been climbing the charts since the late 1990s. Its so popular now that most people will know how to pronounce it.

Knox- Knox is a surname turned first name. He ends in the exotic X and sounds like it ends in an S. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie named their son Knox in 2008 causing many people to take notice to it.

Wyatt- I'm a fan of Raising Hope, the tv show, and one it they have a character named Wyatt. Before the show I wasn't too keen on the name but it has really grown on me. It has been a favorite of many people causing it to be all the way up at #34 on the charts.

Sawyer- Sawyer is an occupation name that feels friendly and fresh. Two famous bearers of the name are Tom Sawyer, a classical character, and Diane Sawyer.

Killian- The beings sound (kill) seems to be one of the only reasons people shy away from the name. If the beginning is too harsh for you I suggest the spelling Cillian.

Dean- My cousins named her son Dean about 6 years ago and it was the first time I really noticed the name. Now I love it and would use it as a middle name. I'm also a huge fan of Supernatural so I associate the name with the show.

Forrest- Forrest was on the top 1000 charts from 1900 to 2003. Than it took a 10 year break and came back in 2013. Since them he has been moving up the charts. I adore the name Forrest and love the nature yet unique feel it has.


These are just 10 of my favorite no nickname names. If I wanted to I could go on and on making a list so long you wouldn't want to read it! If you enjoyed this post or the girl's post let me know and I can do more like it!

No Nicknames, No Problem! [Girls]

If you've been around the blog a while than you know I love nicknames. It all stems from not having a nickname growing up so I always say I'm going to name my children with names that have a nickname option. Not everyone wants to give their children nicknames. A lot of parents are on the lookout for names that don't have nicknames or are going with just the nickname (ex: Jenny instead of Jennifer). I thought I would put together a list of names that don't have nicknames.

Blair- Ever since watching and falling in love with the tv show Gossip Girl I have adored the name Blair. She has a more prestigious and girly feel to her. Because it is only one syllable it goes well with a lot of names as a middle name.

Ivy- This is botanical name is great if you want a flower or nature name but don't want something that is too popular. Just be warned that it seems he is slowing moving up the charts and is currently ranked the highest ever.

Pearl- The gemstone of June and a name very popular (top 25) in 1900 needs a comeback. I love the old lady chic feel to it. In the last few years the name has been quickly climbing up the charts.

Summer- There aren't too many two syllable names that don't have any nicknames. Most of the names that have no nicknames are one syllable. Summer has a very airy and light feel to it.

Eve- Eve was the first woman in the Bible and seems to be coming back to style. She fits in with the ever popular Ava and other names like Eva, Evelyn, and Evie.

Ruby- I mentioned Pearl a few names ago and now I have the name Ruby for you. The vibrant gemstone brings about a sassy, yet sweet feel to her. She is all the range in countries like Australia, England, and Ireland. I can see it jumping into the U.S. top 50 very soon.

Sylvie- I have to say this is probably my favorite name on this list. I have Sylvie in my top 3 at the moment. She is a name that is familiar yet different. Her sister name, Sylvia, is in the top 500 yet she isn't even ranked yet.

Haven- Haven is a safe pick for many parents with her simple sound and no nickname option. The name was extremely unheard of until 1996 when it first entered the charts. Because of Jessica Alba naming her daughter Haven in 2011 the name has shot up the charts.

Daisy- Daisy was once used as a nickname for Margaret but since she was used so often its a name that stands one its own most of the time. Daisy is less popular than Lily but not too much that people don't know the name.

Molly- Molly is a classical name is a name that seems to be given to a lot of Irish babies, although it is not of Irish descent. She once started out as a nickname for Molly and now stands perfectly on its own.


These are just 10 of my favorite girls names that have no nickname options. There are so many more out there. I will bring the boy name version to you very shortly.

Winnie the Nickname

Today is Winnie the Pooh's author's birthday. Alan Alexander Milne was born 134 years ago today and it is National Winnie the Pooh day in his honor. I never got into Winnie the Pooh as a child but I know that a ton of people love the little bear. In honor of today, I have a list of names that can you use Winnie as a nickname. I adore Winnie so much and there are so many great options out there for first names.

Winter

Maybe its the time of the year or maybe I am just finally noticing the name but I have really been liking Winter. I actually came across a set of twin girls named Winter "Winnie" and Lennon not too long ago.

Winifred
This adorable old lady chic name is really winning me over. I think it would be so cute with the nickname Winnie. Winnie could even make it a little more modern.

Winona
Winona makes me think of the south and country. Winnie as a nickname gives it a whimsical feel.

Gwendolyn
Gwen names are so gorgeous and I think Gwendolyn is my favorite out of all of them. You can always use the nickname Gwen or go a more less common route and use Winnie.

Wilhelmina
Wilhelmina is yet another old lady chic name that I adore. Willa is a common nickname for it but Winnie works as well.

Arwen
The next few names are all going to be names that end in -wen. Arwen is the first. It's extremely unique and people are probably not going to have heard it before.

Bronwen
I love Bronwen! You can also spell it Bronwyn and spell the nickname Wynnie. Bronwen is a Welsh name and a lot of Welsh names end in Wen/Wyn.

Rowen
A fellow namer and friend of mine, Rebe, has a daughter named Rowen, spelled Rowan, who she calls Wynn or Wynnie at times. I think the nickname gives such a girly feel to a unisex names.

Arianwen 
I have talked about Arianwen before and I really wish more people would notice it. It's such a great alternative to the ever popular Aria.

Olwen
Olwen is another Welsh name and in Welsh legend there was a beautiful maiden with this name. Her father told her lover he needed to complete a list of task to marry her and he succeeded.

Edwina
My first thought when I hear Edwina is a Victorian woman from Britain. I think this name isn't quite ready to catch on but maybe with the nickname Winnie more people will see the appeal.

Whitney
Whitney is really pretty and a short name to begin with but I do find Winnie to be a really cute nickname.

Winsome 
I was just introduced to Winsome not that long ago and really loved it immediately. It's extremely unique and feels modern.

Winslow 
I think names ending in the -low sound are quirky and modern. Why not add a new name to the list with Winslow. The only time I have heard Winslow is as a surname but people use surnames as first names all the time.



If I left out any names that you like as a form name for Winnie comment below and let me know! What were your favorite names from the list?

Ollie: The Nickname

I've been binge watching season 3 of Arrow and the main characters name is Oliver "Ollie". Hearing Ollie over and over again makes me love it so much. The only thing is I'm not a huge fan of how popular Oliver is and is like a different full name for Ollie. I came up with a list of unique names for the nickname Ollie. 

Orville: Such a classical name that reminds me of popcorn and airplanes. You can definitely get Ollie from Orville. 

Oleander: This is not only an alternative to Oliver but to Alexander as well. I think this is my favorite name for the nickname Ollie. 

Orlando: I've features this name on my Instagram before and I really have a love/hate relationship with it. I love it but I also can't see myself using it. 

Olympio: This is one of the most unique full name for Ollie I have for you. This Greek name can because more common with the nickname Ollie. 

Olson: The Olson twins anyone? I definitely think Olson fits with some more popular names like Mason and Jason. 

Olivander: This is another Oliver/Alexander alternative. Olivander is a little more close to Oliver than Oleander if you like the V and the nickname Ollie. 

Olivier: The French variant of Ollie. My only fear with this name is its only one letter different than Oliver and I'm afraid people will miss it. 

Apollo: I adore Apollo and probably wouldn't have thought of the nickname Ollie but it works nicely, especially since there are many nicknames for it. 

Colin: Although this name is so common using Ollie as a nickname is so uncommon. 

There are so many other names that have the letter combination Ol that you could use. If I featured all of them we'd be here for days! I told you some of my favorite full names for Ollie now tell me yours! 

Minnie The Nickname

Minnie is such a sweet nickname. It might seem very childish for an adult and that is why I am here to bring you some great names that have Minnie as a nickname option.

Wilhelmina: This is such a classical, old lady which name. I adore that you can have the nickname Minnie as well as Willa, Willie, and Mina.

Minerva: Minerva is so unique. Minnie is a common nickname for Minerva too. You works perfectly.

Minka: I think Minka is so cool to say. I really like when names have K's in them. It gives them a sharp sound.

Araminta: Araminta is a name loved by another namer, Kristen. I think this name is adorable and cool. Minnie is a great nickname and so is Minty.

Philomena: I use to have Philomena on my top 10 list. I still love it today just not as much. When it was on my list I had Minnie as the nickname.

Margaret: Margaret is at the top of my list of favorite classical names. I think Minnie gives it a cool, modern feel.

Cosmina: I have really been enjoying Cosmina a lot more recently. I think Minnie makes it even more lovable.

Adamina: I think Ad- names are cool and great. Adamina is so fresh on the ears. I was happy to find this one during my research.

Romina: I think Rom- names are cool just like Ad- names. Romy can be a nickname for Romina just like Minnie can.

I hope you found some new names for the wonderful nickname Minnie. If you have any suggestions on how to get to the nickname Minnie leave them below!

PSA: Things on this blog might be slow for a couple of weeks. I'm trying to find time to do other things besides baby names (blown, instagram, and youtube), so I am cutting into my blogging time. There has also been writers block going on as well.

Hal The Nickname

When I originally thought about doing a post on the nickname Hal it was suppose to be for a boy. Then I realized that Hal is a unisex nickname and I decided to do a post on Hal for a girl and a boy. I prefer Hal as a nickname for a boy but I think it works great either way.

Halston: This is one of the first names that popped up when I thought of Hal as a nickname for boys. It goes great with names that already end in the -ton sound.

Hallan: I think if you like Halston but want a shorter name Hallan is great. It gets right to the point of the nickname Hal.

Hallam: I was doing some research on the name Hallan and it said that Hallan come from Hallam. I think its cool but like Hallan better.

Harold: This is the tradition full name for Hal and a great vintage name if you want to go down that root.

Halden: Halden is similar in sound to Holden and similar to the name Halston as well. I like to pronounce it Hal-den.

Callahan: I love this name so much and when I realized you could use the nickname Hal with it I was head over heels. It sounds very sophisticated.

Hayley: The very common name for the nickname Hal. There are other spellings including Haley, Hailey, and Halle.

Hallyn: Hallyn is the same as Hallan for a boy but with a more feminine spelling. I saw a little girl on instagram with this name and it makes me think of her.

Halia: Pronounced like Hailey with an a on the end, Halia is a pretty grand version of Hailey. I like Halia a lot more than Hailey because it is more unique.

Halina: If you like names that end in the -lina sound than Halina is for you. It gives you that princess feel but still lets you use Hal as a nickname.

Halona: This name is in my top 20 list because it sounds so pretty. It also has a great meaning in Native American. It means happy fortune.

Mahalia: If you like Halia but want a longer name Mahalia is prefect for you. I have always loved this name and have been putting it on my extend top name list for years now. It always finds a way to sneak back on.

Thalassa: This pretty greek name meaning the sea is prefect for a beach goer or sailor with the added bonus of the nickname Hal.

I forgot how much I loved making these posts. Nicknames are a great passion of mine and I need to start focusing on them more on the blog. If you have any nickname suggestions leave them down below. I'd love to hear them!

Connie The Nickname

For those of you who don't know I am a huge fan of nicknames. Growing up I never had a nickname and always felt left out so I would love my future children to have nickname possibilities. I also fall in love with nicknames before I actually fall in love with a name for it. Earlier in the week I featured the name Constance on my name Instagram and it got me thinking about the nickname Connie. I went on the hunt for full names for the nickname Connie.

Constance: This is a vintage chic name that you really don't hear all that often. I think it's sweet and different. Paired with the nickname Connie I think the name would be fitting for a little girl.

Connor: A name more favored on a boy I feel like Conner could work for a girl. I mean if River and Elliott can be used on girls why can't Conner?

Connolly: If you like Conner but feel like it's too much of a boy name Connolly is perfect for you. It has the same beginning but with a more feminine ending. I love that Connolly is a surname as well.

Concetta: I first saw this name in my sorority house and those it was so different! The con beginning and etta end are a really nice combination.

Consuela: This name reminds me of a sweet little old grandmother. It's very Spanish so I'm not sure if it would work on all nationalities.

Contessa: Now I love this name more than Concetta. Contessa sounds so pretty and grand. I can picture it on a little princess.

Concordia: I like the length of this name so much. Not only does it have the nickname Connie but it also has the nickname Cory and Dia.

Constantina: A similar name to Constance but much longer and I think this name is a little more modern sounding than Constance.

Lacona: I had never heard this name before but I think it's pretty cute. You can get the nickname Connie depending on the way you pronounce the name.

Macon: Like Connor this name is seem a lot more on boy but I can see it on a girl. If you like the nickname Connie but none of the names above this name is for you.

I really loved making this post and might make another one like this again. What are your favorite Connie names? I love them all but I would have to say Constance and Contessa are my favorite.


xoxo,

Four Syllable Names

I am a lover of long names mainly because they have nicknames. Growing up without a nickname has made me want to give my children names that have the opportunity for nicknames. Here is a nice list of 4 syllable names with their possible nicknames.

Baby Lavinia! Source

Boys
Amadeus: Ama, Day, Deus, Ames
Antonio: Ant, Tony, Tio
Bartholomew: Bart, Leo
Cornelius: Corn, Cory, Neil
Ebenezer: Eben
Ezekiel: Zeke
Hezekiah: Hez, Zeke
Ignacio: Iggie, Nacio, Nate
Jedidiah: Jedd
Leonardo: Leo
Macallister: Mac, Cal, Al
Maximilan: Max, Mill
Oleander: Ollie, Land, Andy, Anders
Salvatore: Sal
Santiago: San, Tio
Theodoric: Theo, Teddy

Girls
Antonia: Annie, Anne, Tony, Tia
Carabella: Cara, Belle, Bella
Carolina: Cary, Lina, Lee
Floriana: Flora, Flo, Florie
Graciela: Gracie, Grace, Ella
Gravriella: Ella, Gavie, Gravie
Henrietta: Hennie, Etta
Idalia: Ida, Idie
Josalina: Josie, Lina
Katarina: Kat, Katie, Rina, Kata
Katiana: Kat, Katie
Lavinia: Livi, Vinny, Via
Liviana: Livi
Nicoletta: Nico, Nikki, Letta, Etta
Noelani: Noa, Lani
Oliviana: Ollie, Liv, Livi
Orabella: Ora, Orie, Belle, Bella
Rosaleah/Rosalia: Rosie, Rose, Rosa, Leah, Lee
Rosabella: Rose, Rosie, Rosa, Belle, Bella
Seraphina: Sera, Fifi, Fia
Theodora: Thea, Tia, Dory, Dora
Thomasina: Tommy, Sina